Beavers Shut Down UCLA To Take Opener
May 28, 2016 | Baseball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Travis Eckert threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings and Nick Madrigal's groundout in the seventh drove in the game's only run in Oregon State's 1-0 victory over UCLA Friday at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field.
Madrigal hit a slow roller to third baseman Luke Persico on the first pitch he saw in the seventh. That slow roller enabled Kyle Nobach to score from third, giving Eckert and Max Engelbrekt the only offense they'd need as the Beavers opened a crucial series with a win over the Bruins.
Nobach opened the seventh by singling to left, and moved to third when Cadyn Grenier blooped a single to right. Madrigal's RBI groundout came off UCLA (25-29 overall, 12-16 Pac-12 Conference) starter Griffin Canning, who threw a complete game but was saddled with the loss to drop to 5-8. He allowed four hits and a run with six strikeouts.
Eckert, the reigning Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week, scattered seven hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out five.
Eckert did not figure in the decision, but has been spectacular over his last 15 2/3 innings of work. He has allowed nine hits and a run over that stretch.
The win went to Max Engelbrekt, who came on with a runner at second in the seventh. He forced Brett Stephens to ground out to Madrigal to end the inning. Engelbrekt closed out the final two innings to earn the win and improve his record to 3-3.
Oregon State (33-19, 14-14) and UCLA continue the series Saturday with a 4:05 p.m. PT first pitch at Goss Stadium. Tickets remain and can be purchased by visiting BeaverTickets.com. The Goss Stadium ticket office will open at 2 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to arrive to the stadium early to help the Beavers honor two on Senior Day, which will start at approximately 3:45 p.m. The Beavers will honor Eckert and undergraduate assistant coach Jake Rodriguez, who did not participate in a Senior Day during his career.
For more information on the Oregon State baseball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/Beaver_Baseball, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateBaseball or on Instagram at Instagram.com/BeaverBaseball.
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